Strength and Weakness

To the world's usual misfortune, there is a quaint ethic of strong action that shares with the wild west and unilateral invasion of other countries a belief that using your head is not strength. Today we have another instance of it from its bulwark in Texas, with the usual tragic consequences.

You just know these blithering idiots listen to hate radio, and answer 'Yeah' to the litany, as they careen thru traffic on their way to commit more stupid blunders. We drive with them every time we go down the highway, the two-legged Hummers of the hemisphere.

The Dallas Cowboys had a training camp to turn out great football players, what did they need with building codes? Typically, that strong type went ahead and used an uninspected facility they'd farmed out to other strong guys to build.

The Dallas Cowboys applied last year for a building permit to replace the high-tension fabric roof on the indoor practice facility that collapsed Saturday and injured 12 people. But the team never had city officials inspect any completed work, which is required by Irving's building code.

In city documents released Monday, the team is listed as the general contractor for the reroofing project that was estimated to cost $600,000. Irving does not issue a building permit unless the general contractor is registered with the city. The Cowboys registered as a general contractor on the same day they requested a permit for the roof work.

City officials were aware that work began on the roof last year but never received word from the team that it was complete.

Team officials declined to answer questions about the work Monday.

Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were in Valley Ranch on Monday investigating what caused the 85-foot-tall facility's high-tension fabric shell and metal structure to fold onto itself and collapse Saturday. The National Weather Service said a microburst of up to 70-mph wind carried by passing thunderstorms struck the facility.

About 70 players, coaches, team support personnel and members of the media were inside. Ambulances transported 10 injured people; two others sought help on their own, officials said.

Scouting assistant Rich Behm was permanently paralyzed from the waist down after he suffered a spine fracture.

Using rational judgment is unpopular with the wingnuts we have voting in the officials that have wreaked havoc with our country's safety in so many ways. What actually has been shown as sorely lacking; that's a return from bombast to a degree of functional regulation and laws, basic to function. The continuing proof that a system of laws and regulations are what protect us from disaster shouldn't have been needed.

The myth that strength of purpose disdains reflection has again led to tragedy.

Darwin Awards are called for all around, ('Honoring those who improve the species...by accidentally removing themselves from it!') though the victims really deserved a rational approach that would have prevented their injuries.

Our walking Hummers are going to have themselves a good laugh over it, after a couple of Buds.